Orchestra extends Fleischer's contract

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Symphony Society has given a three-year contract extension to music director Randall Craig Fleischer, who will now lead the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra through the 2017-18 season.

As music director, Fleischer is responsible for the oversight of the artistic staff, program planning and repertoire selection, and conducting the orchestra.

Fleischer assumed the directorship of the YSO during the 2007-08 season after a yearlong search. During his tenure, the YSO expanded community engagement with the addition of Young People’s Concerts, Pops at the Ballpark and the Stained Glass Concert Series. It has collaborated with regional performing-arts groups such as Ballet Western Reserve, Easy Street Productions and Youngstown Connection.

The orchestra also presented side-by-side concerts with the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra under Fleischer.

It presented the world premiere of the Chris Brubeck Concerto “Time for Three” and Prechel’s “Impressions at the Butler” as well as several Fleischer compositions and multimedia presentations including “Echoes,” “Symphony in Step,” “Spiritual Journey” and “Rocktopia.”

On Nov. 7, the orchestra will perform his latest musical fusion, “Country Legends,” a collection of country music songs for orchestra, country band and vocalists.

Fleischer is als music director of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and Hudson Valley Philharmonic.